Features

Krista Cahill walked across the stage to receive her high school diploma Friday. But unlike her fellow 398 Lancaster High grads, Cahill, 18, has some unfinished business to take care of later this month.

After taking top honors in the hairstyling division at the 2009 Skills USA Trade Competition in Greenville, Cahill will represent South Carolina in the upcoming nationals.

Ready or not, the switch from analog television to the digital age is here.

If you don’t notice anything different, that’s a good thing, analysts say.

“When you get up Saturday morning and turn on your TV, if it doesn’t work, you’ll know,” said Doug Crenshaw, owner of the Energy Center, who is certified to sell the special converter boxes that decode the digital signal.

The FCC has set up a toll-free hot line – 1-888-CALL FCC (225-5322) – for viewers with technical difficulties.

Father’s Day is rapidly approaching (June 21) and you don’t have any idea what to get dear old Dad for a gift this year.Not only are your ideas limited, but your Benjamins are, too. However, take heart: there’s more to choose from than boring gold-plated pens, neckties and new socks if your budget is in a bind. Why not consider one of these gifts that are priced below $25?

There’s no argument among the experts that we should consume less trans fats and saturated fats. The problem is we don’t want to give them up.

Trans fats and saturated fats contribute to increases in blood cholesterol and a greater risk of heart disease.

The truth is we like the taste. Saturated fats typically come from animal-based products such as red meat, butter and other full-fat dairy products. Trans fats are commonly found in packaged bakery products.

National Garden Week is a great opportunity to call attention to the many contributions gardeners make to the beauty and environmental health of our communities and nation.

In celebration of National Garden Week, the Lancaster Garden Club is sponsoring a free garden tour from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday that features five of Lancaster County’s most beautiful yards. The club is also featuring these tours in honor of fellow club member, Betsy Steele, who was just inducted as president of the Garden Club of South Carolina.

There are 1,080 American flags on the grave markers at Lancaster’s Memorial Park. By this time next year, there will be more.

Despite overcast skies, about 250 came out to Memorial Park on Sunday afternoon to honor the military dead during the county’s 18th annual Memorial Day service.

The flags placed there are a visible reminder that freedom is not free, said Korean War veteran Ernest Stroud, who serves as legislative chairman for the S.C. Disabled American Veterans and S.C. American Legion.

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Before Tim Williams was a pastor and a parole and probation agent for the state of South Carolina, he was a Marine.

Now some 37 years after he left Erwin Farm in a pale yellow Ford Mustang for Parris Island, he is a full-time Marine again.

And for this father of three and grandfather of one who now calls Pageland home, what happened from 1972 to now has put U.S. Navy Cmdr. Tim Williams in the unique position to answer God’s calling for his life. He was called back to active duty from the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve in November 2008.

On Saturday, Frederick “Rick” Stevens was one of 80-plus graduates who walked across the Charles Bundy Auditorium stage inside the Bradley Arts and Sciences Building at the University of South Carolina at Lancaster to receive a two-year college degree. That’s a far cry from Oct. 9, 1996.

That’s the day when Stevens – strung out on crack cocaine – walked into Meeting Street Express and tried to rob the place.

He was arrested the next day after someone recognized him from the store’s video tape.